The leader of the oldest Latino civil rights organization in the U.S. is facing harsh criticism for endorsing President Donald Trump's immigration framework that includes a border wall.

Roger Rocha, president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, wrote Trump this week saying the storied civil rights group would support his plan for a wall in exchange for protecting young immigrants brought to the country illegally.

Rocha also wrote that LULAC would endorse new restrictions on legal immigration.

Those comments drew strong reactions from LULAC members and activists across the country who say such policies would hurt Hispanics.

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"He did not get approval of the national board," said Mickie Luna Solorio, a Hollister City Council member and founding member of the San Benito County LULAC chapter.

“We knew nothing about it. As a former national officer, I am very concerned. We stand strongly behind our Dreamers. They are not a negotiable item," Solorio said.

Chris Barrera, president of Salinas LULAC chapter said, “We strongly oppose this letter. It does not have approval of California state LULAC."

"We deeply apologize for this letter. There is no excuse. There will be consequences. LULAC is working on a retraction. The letter was not vetted by anyone. There are discussions of removing Rocha immediately. We can’t let this divide us. We must stand together, especially during these times," Barrera said.

When asked by KSBW if Rocha will be removed from his position, LULAC Chief Executive Director Brent Wilkes said, "I don’t want to get ahead of the national board of directors in terms of anything that they might do or say. But I do think that President Rocha did not intend for his letter to become public, and was maybe trying to encourage Donald Trump to participate in the bipartisan discussion on immigration and keep him engaged, but did not intend to signal the organization’s support for his entire framework.